Arknights: I became an NPC in the online game

Late February, Yan.

The warmth of the Spring Festival still lingered. Red lanterns swayed above the streets and alleys, and fireworks continued to bloom across the night sky. Even on the highway leading toward Lungmen, one could see the glittering lights above the massive mobile city in the distance.

"That's Lungmen…"

"Mm. We came at the right time."

Felix glanced at Mostima in the passenger seat, fingers tapping the steering wheel. "Lungmen's a crossroads of everything. It's the best place to start out. Nothing's lacking here—business, farmland, corporations, and people."

"In other words," Mostima replied with her usual calm smile, "this city is heaven and hell for every entrepreneur."

"Hell because of the competition."

She caught on immediately. Mostima was sharp by nature, though she often masked her emotions behind that faint, serene smile. Back in Laterano—where everyone's feelings resonated with each other—she was considered one of the rare few whose inner waves barely stirred. In a way, she was the mirror opposite of Lemuel.

Felix hummed in agreement, though the truth was, in the field he planned to enter, Lungmen didn't have much competition at all. The only major name in private contracting on Terra was Rhine Lab's distant cousin, Blacksteel International, far away in Columbia. And he wasn't about to run a simple mercenary company anyway.

As for why he chose Lungmen—he had already explained it to Emperor and Duck Lord. Emperor had once held a concert here and knew Wei Yanwu, the city's executive officer. That connection alone was reason enough.

Duck Lord, on the other hand, wasn't like Emperor. He wouldn't go out of his way for Felix. For him, investing in Felix was just another indulgence. He had stakes in countless ventures across Terra; there was no chance he'd tie himself down to a single company, let alone show up regularly. Even at board meetings, his seat would almost always stay empty.

Emperor had told him plainly: "I only pulled him in to help pad the funds. Don't bother with him. He won't show, so if you need anything, come straight to me."

Felix didn't know how to comment on the long-lived races. Back in his previous life, players could read fragments of lore about them in ruins or libraries. More obvious than the scraps of information was the simple fact that most of Terra's races lived far longer than humans.

The Sarkaz and the Sankta, for example—always at each other's throats—were both long-lived. Living for centuries was nothing unusual. When players figured that out, many immediately rerolled their characters into those races.

To bring his truck into Lungmen, Felix had to file an application. At the city's towering gates, security officers inspected the vehicle carefully. They also politely asked the group of Sankta and Liberi inside to step out, explaining they needed to confirm the purpose of their visit.

The Sankta were a rare sight across Terra. That was the common wisdom, anyway. But in recent years, people had started spotting groups of Sankta traveling openly with other races. Some even marched alongside Sarkaz. For many who saw it, the sight was so strange they wondered if they were still dreaming.

"Every citizen entering Lungmen must undergo a blood test… to determine whether or not they're Infected. You say your unit hails from Laterano…"

The guard gave a nervous laugh. "In that case, maybe we can skip the test?"

"Rules are rules," Felix replied with a calm smile. "Just because we're from Laterano doesn't mean Lungmen should break its own. I'll be staying here long term—why would I start off by undermining the city's laws?"

The guard wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a sigh of relief. Since even this Sankta captain insisted, then so be it—they would test.

The test results came back exactly as expected—no one was infected. Even Felix, who had once traveled deep into Ursus' northern borders and made direct contact with the Infected, still showed the same Originium density in his blood as before.

Spuria, Patia, and Plume gazed curiously at the sprawling metropolis outside. From the window, they could see the dazzling city lights, fireworks still bursting overhead, and the endless stream of people along the streets.

Fiammetta quietly polished her hand cannon, her eyes carrying the same faint curiosity. This was, after all, her first time traveling so far from home.

"So, what's the plan now?"

"…First, some rest. Then I'll meet with Emperor."

Felix stifled a yawn. After driving for so long, fatigue was catching up with him. "Tomorrow's going to be packed. I need to register the company, scout the buildings we've tentatively chosen for headquarters… sigh, Lungmen's land is still as expensive as ever. Every inch costs a fortune."

Mostima smiled gently. "Do you need me to go with you?"

"You can, if you'd like… but you know Fiammetta will insist on tagging along."

"Mm, true. Then maybe I'll sit this one out. Besides…" Mostima tapped his cheek with a finger. "Shouldn't you be calling her 'Chosen Overseer' instead?"

"…The notary office old-timers just love those old Columbian movies."

Felix let out a helpless chuckle. "I'll drop you all off with Degenbrecher and Loughshinny. Take these couple of days to rest and explore the city. Honestly, dragging you straight out of Laterano to join me in this half-mad venture—starting a company from nothing—it really does feel…"

"Shh."

Mostima cut him off softly, her smile calm. "Before leaving Laterano, we already prepared ourselves."

"Even if we're still employees of the notary office, even if we need to return each year to hand over reports and fulfill our duties—everyone here chose to leave from the bottom of their hearts. Fiammetta feels she owes you, a debt she wants to repay. Spuria admires your knowledge of machines and wants to learn. Plume took it upon herself to guard your safety. As for little Patia—well, she's wanted to see the world beyond the Holy City for a long time."

"And you?"

"I want to see what lies down that so-called other path."

Her smile faded to composure, those sapphire eyes fixed straight ahead. "That's what Andoain believed, too."

"…And of course, there's you."

For a moment, time seemed to pause. Felix felt something brush against his lips. When he blinked back to himself, Mostima was already humming a tune by the window, her gaze turned outside.

"The Pope told you once not to use the power of the Lock and Key so lightly."

"…I have to get used to it eventually, don't I?"

Mostima tilted her head, that faint blue tongue tracing her lips.

---

In Lungmen, Felix got in touch with Degenbrecher and confirmed their location. Driving the truck right up to the hotel, he parked with great fanfare. The doorman had clearly never seen such a sight—his jaw nearly hit the ground.

Felix booked rooms for the companions who had followed him to Lungmen. As he turned, he saw Degenbrecher stepping out of the elevator and into the lobby.

"Yo, boss. Long time no see."

Degenbrecher's lips curved into a small smile. "Mostima, too. It's been a while."

"It's only been a month or so. But now, we'll be working together, Degenbrecher."

Mostima inclined her head with a polite nod.

For now, the Sankta and Liberi from Laterano would rest. Felix had no intention of dragging them straight into tomorrow's grind. After all, business had to be built step by step. Starting out by hiring too many people without work lined up would only waste money and effort.

"Where's Loughshinny?"

"She's already asleep. Spent the day wandering around Lungmen's library and brought back a few books."

"Oh…"

"And her identity? Coming here to Yan—no issues?"

"In Lungmen, no problem at all."

Felix glanced sideways as he spoke. "Only Columbians know who Loughshinny really is. To anyone else on the street, she's just a refined-looking Vouivre. As for the higher-ups… they probably couldn't care less about her background."

"Because Victoria's too far from Yan to matter?"

"That's only part of the reason."

Back out on the streets, Felix walked toward the commercial district, Degenbrecher following a step behind, once again slipping naturally into the role of a loyal bodyguard.

"What's Emperor been up to these days?"

"He's acquired some small properties—using them as warehouses for the company."

Degenbrecher's voice was steady and precise. "The main office location has also been chosen. It's right in the heart of the commercial center, but the final decision still needs your approval."

"And those adventurers?"

Of course, Felix hadn't forgotten the trio led by Magic ZX. He asked about them directly.

"They left their contact info. For now, they're sightseeing around Lungmen."

Degenbrecher's brows drew together ever so slightly. "But that one—Magic ZX—he's… strange."

"Oh?"

It was the first time Felix had ever heard an "NPC" describe a player as odd. His curiosity flared. Just what had Magic ZX done to give a native-born Terran like Degenbrecher that impression?

"He keeps giving gifts to Loughshinny."

Degenbrecher's tone was flat, but there was a trace of unease behind it. "I know adventurers have a habit of exchanging gifts. He's given some to me, Senomi, Mandragora, and others before. But the gifts he sends Loughshinny… they're excessive."

"What kind of gifts?"

"Rare ores. Books. Collectibles. I've no idea where he even finds all these things."

"And Loughshinny? How did she react?"

"She refused them. Politely, but firmly."

NPCs often did. Unless tied to a specific personal quest, many would reject gifts outright once their favorability capped out.

Felix remembered cases from his previous life. Some players once showered a certain Yanese married beauty with gifts every day, but her affection never climbed past fifty points. Friends, yes—but nothing beyond.

Back then, he'd assumed it was simply game design. After all, this wasn't some mobile sim—you couldn't exactly marry an NPC. Still, boosting favorability was useful. The higher it went, the easier it was to recruit NPCs into your party or strike favorable trades.

Crossing through Dagu Plaza, the crowds thinned. At the far end of the street, Felix spotted the rendezvous point with Emperor.

—The End of the Earth.

"This is one of the properties Emperor bought as well."

"…Don't tell me he only bought it because he wanted a bar to drink in?"

Pushing open the door, Felix was nearly blinded by the dazzling gold-and-crystal interior. After his eyes adjusted, he spotted a penguin perched at the bar counter, and behind it, the bartender at work.

Aside from the two of them, the place was empty.

"Yo, kid—long time no see… tch, wait, guess I should be calling you 'boss' now. No, no, that doesn't sit right with me at all…"

Emperor raised his glass, inviting Felix to sit beside him. Degenbrecher remained standing off to the side. She could drink anyone under the table, but tonight she was here as Felix's bodyguard—so not a drop.

"How about this then? We each stick to our own. I'll call you Mr. Emperor, and you keep calling me boss."

"…You think you're funny, don't you?"

Emperor gave a grumble, pushed his shades up his beak, then downed a glass before his tone turned serious. "I've already sounded Wei Yenwu out. Had a chat with him."

The bartender slid a light cocktail into Felix's hand. His golden eyes flickered as he asked slowly, "And what was his stance?"

"He said he welcomes outside entrepreneurs settling in Lungmen. Mentioned the city's been lacking gifted young people like you—lacking companies with this kind of vision."

"You told him everything?"

"Not everything. Just a hint. Wei Yenwu's an old fox. He knows what Yan lacks. He knows what Lungmen lacks."

"Please. Lungmen doesn't need an entrepreneur like me. Sweet words cost nothing."

Emperor fixed his gaze on him. "Then tell me—how do you rate Columbian science and technology against Yan's?"

"…What, you want me assassinated by Columbia's old guard in the academy? Or have their military send a hitman to blow my head off tomorrow?"

Felix grimaced. He understood Emperor's real meaning—wanting him to play double agent.

"You're overreacting. All I meant was: set up your own research institute here."

Emperor cleared his throat, shifting gears. "Let's leave mercenaries aside for now—too risky a line. In logistics, you'll have competitors, sure, but none that'll rival Tomorrow's Development. I've scouted some office locations. Take a look."

He pushed a stack of files across the counter. Felix flipped through them. Prices—steep, as expected for Lungmen—but one listing caught his eye.

"This building… it's up for sale?"

He pulled the file out, surprise creeping into his voice.

"Oh, that one. The last owners were running shady business on the side. Got busted and seized by the Guard Bureau. The kicker? The building's right across the street from the Bureau. Bold, huh?"

Felix considered for a moment. "…We'll see."

Emperor poured himself another drink and tossed it back. "By the way—old man Wei Yenwu wants to meet you. In person."